Hairclip

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for gathering hair including a body having first and second ends, an inner surface, and a cavity with an opening formed in the body. The body includes a first passage extending from the inner surface to the cavity and a second passage aligned with the first passage and extending from a second surface to the cavity. The apparatus also includes a spring-biased cord lock mechanism within the cavity, and having a spring-biased member accessible through the opening and operable between first and second positions, whereby the spring biases the member toward the first position, and the lock mechanism defining a channel aligned with the first and second passages when the member is in the second position. The apparatus also includes a cord, in which a portion thereof passes through the first and second passages and the channel of the lock mechanism, thereby forming an adjustable loop.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hairclip and its use in the gathering andsecuring of a user's hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of ties, clips, bands, barrettes and/or combinationsthereof used for holding or retaining strands of hair for hair care orhair styling are widely used and have been around for many years. Theseand similar retaining devices, however, offer only one or, at most, veryfew pre-determined closure positions. In addition, these type devices donot permit a user to adjust the device to hold more or less hair tightlythan the gripping force generated by the device's holding means. As aresult, these devices lack a desired hair gripping capability providedby the device and they tend to become easily dislodged from the positionin which they were intended to be placed about the user's hair.

The present invention is a simple and cost effective solution to theproblem of providing a decorative hair clip that has a means forenabling a wide range of user-selectable adjustments to control thetightness and/or looseness with which the device gathers and secures auser's hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus forgathering hair. The apparatus includes a body having first and secondends, and inner and outer surfaces, and defining at the first end acavity that has an opening formed in a first surface of the body. Thebody includes a first passage extending from the inner surface of thebody to the cavity and a second passage aligned with the first passageand extending from a second surface of the body to the cavity. Theapparatus also includes a spring-biased cord lock mechanism retainedwithin the cavity, and having a spring-biased member accessible throughthe opening and operable between first and second positions, whereby thespring biases the member toward the first position, and thespring-biased cord lock mechanism defining a channel aligned with thefirst and second passages when the member is in the second position. Theapparatus also includes a cord comprising a free end and a fixed endthat is secured to the second end of the body, where a portion of thelength of the cord passes through the first and second passages and thechannel of the lock mechanism, thereby forming an adjustable loop.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus forgathering hair according to the first aspect of the invention, where thefirst end defines the first surface and the opening to the cavity ispresent on the first end surface. In addition, the inner surface and thesecond surface are the same surface, and both the first and secondpassages have openings defined on the inner surface of the body. In thisaspect of the invention, the first and second passages together have asubstantially U-shaped configuration.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus forgathering hair according to the first aspect of the invention, where thebody further includes an upper and a lower surface in which the outersurface and the first surface are the same surface. In this aspect ofthe invention, the first end of the body defines the second surface andthe second passage has an opening at the first end surface. In thisaspect of the invention, the first and second passages together have asubstantially L-shaped configuration.

A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus forgathering hair according to the first aspect of the invention, where thebody further includes an upper and a lower surface in which the outersurface and the first surface are the same surface. In this aspect ofthe invention, the lower surface and the second surface are the samesurface, in which case the second passage has an opening at the lowersurface. In this aspect of the invention, the first and second passagestogether have a substantially L-shaped configuration.

A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus forgathering hair according to the first aspect of the invention, where thefirst end defines the first surface and the opening to the cavity ispresent on the first end surface. In addition, the outer surface and thesecond surface are the same surface, the first passage having an openingdefined on the inner surface of the body, and the second passage havingan opening defined on the outer surface of the body. In this aspect ofthe invention, the first and second passages together have asubstantially coaxial alignment.

A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus forgathering hair according to the first aspect of the invention, whereeither the upper surface or lower surface of the body is the same as thefirst surface, and the opening to the cavity is present on the uppersurface or lower surface of the body. In this aspect of the invention,the first end of the body includes the second surface, the first passagehas an opening defined on the inner surface of the body, and the secondpassage has an opening defined on the first end surface. In this aspectof the invention, the first and second passages together have asubstantially L-shaped configuration.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of retaining hairthat includes providing a hairclip according to the first, second,third, fourth, fifth, or sixth aspects of the invention where hair of auser passes between the inner surface of the body and the adjustableloop of the cord. The user adjusts the spring-biased member toward thesecond position, and by pulling the free end of the cord while thespring-biased member remains in the second position, the user is able toconstrict the adjustable loop of the cord. The user also allows thespring-biased member to return to the first position, thereby retainingthe hair of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus forgathering hair illustrating the apparatus gathered around hair of a userand hanging therefrom;

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front elevational view of the embodimentof an apparatus for gathering hair shown in FIG. 1 showing details offirst and second passages, a cavity, a spring-biased cord lockmechanism, and a cord attachment means in the body;

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front elevational view of a secondembodiment of an apparatus for gathering hair showing details of firstand second passages, a cavity, a spring-biased cord lock mechanism, anda cord attachment means in the body;

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front elevational view of a thirdembodiment of an apparatus for gathering hair showing details of firstand second passages, a cavity, a spring-biased cord lock mechanism, anda cord attachment means in the body;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevational view of the third embodiment of anapparatus for gathering hair illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway front elevational view of a fourthembodiment of an apparatus for gathering hair showing details of firstand second passages, a cavity, a spring-biased cord lock mechanism, anda cord attachment means in the body;

FIG. 7 illustrates a right side elevational view of the fourthembodiment of an apparatus for gathering hair illustrated in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway front elevational view of a fifthembodiment of an apparatus for gathering hair showing details of firstand second passages, a cavity, a spring-biased cord lock mechanism, anda cord attachment means in the body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hairclip and its use to gather aroundhair to create a desired hairstyle, such as for example, a ponytail. Asfurther described in more detail below, the several embodiments of thepresent invention each include a body having first and second ends, andinner and outer surfaces, and defining at the first end a cavity thathas an opening formed in a first surface of the body. The body includesa first passage extending from the inner surface of the body to thecavity and a second passage aligned with the first passage and extendingfrom a second surface of the body to the cavity. The apparatus alsoincludes a spring-biased cord lock mechanism retained within the cavity,and having a spring-biased member accessible through the opening andoperable between first and second positions, whereby the spring biasesthe member toward the first position, and the spring-biased cord lockmechanism defining a channel aligned with the first and second passageswhen the member is in the second position. The apparatus also includes acord comprising a free end and a fixed end that is secured to the secondend of the body, where a portion of the length of the cord passesthrough the first and second passages and the channel of the lockmechanism, thereby forming an adjustable loop.

As described in more detail below, because of its shape and utility, theapparatus is used to gather around hair in which hair of a user passesbetween the inner surface of the body and the adjustable loop of thecord. The user adjusts the spring-biased member toward the secondposition by depressing the spring-biased member against the force of thespring, which allows the channel defined by the lock mechanism to alignwith the first and second passages. This enables the user to adjust thecord to expand or constrict the adjustable loop as needed. To constrictthe loop, the user will pull the free end of the cord while thespring-biased member remains in the second position. To expand theadjustable loop, the user will draw the cord in the opposite directionto draw the free end toward the body while the spring-biased memberremains in the second position. When the hairclip apparatus is installedand the loop sufficiently constricted to the liking of the user, theuser may release the spring-biased member to allow it to return to thefirst position, thereby retaining the hair of the user.

In the several embodiments, the first and second passages have a varietyof configurations that allow the cord to enter and exit differentsurfaces in the body. For example, the adjustable loop of the cordenters the body through an opening to the first passage that is formedin the inner surface, but the opening to the second passage can beformed on the inner surface, the outer surface, or the first endsurface. When formed on the inner surface, the first and second passagestogether have a substantially U-shaped configuration. When formed on theouter surface, the first and second passages together have asubstantially coaxial alignment. When formed on either the uppersurface, the lower surface, or the first end surface, the first andsecond passages together have a substantially L-shaped configuration.

In the several embodiments describe herein, the body can be made of arigid plastic such as an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”)plastic, or a thermoplastic material such as a polyester, polypropylene,polyethylene, or other plastic material that provides lightweight anddurability can be used. The body is suitably sized and configured toallow for a lightweight, durable, easy to wash hair accessory to be usedby users having different hair types. In this regard, it is contemplatedthat the body can be provided in multiple sizes and shapes to allow theapparatus to be utilized with users of different amount (i.e., volume)and hair types. The body, including the first and second passages, thecavity, and their openings, can be prepared in their desired shape andconfiguration by, e.g., die-casting, stamping, or injection molding, asis well known in the art. Other procedures for their manufacture canalso be used.

The inner surface of the body may include a layer of non-slip materialto enhance further the holding means of the apparatus. The non-sliplayer may be made from a material including but not limited toartificial rubber, natural rubber, silicon gel, emulsoid, PVC,thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic rubber, or the like.Alternatively, the non-slip layer can simply be a roughened surface ofthe body. In either approach, the non-slip layer allows the body to gripthe hair in contact with the inner surface, and thereby prevent slippageof the body while the hairclip apparatus is being worn.

The outer surface of the body can optionally be provided with any of avariety of decorative ornamentation, such as for example, artwork,embroidery, beadwork, decals, painting, or the like to enhance thedesign of the apparatus and the appearance of the hairstyle of the user.The ornamentation can be formed during manufacture of the body, orotherwise applied, embedded, or secured to the outer surface of the bodyafter its manufacture. The ornamentation can include a relief pattern,if desired, or any of a number of non-relief designs as indicated above.

In the several embodiments describe herein, the apparatus includes acord, which can be made of non-elastic material, in which case the cordcan be preferably made of cotton, silk, nylon, polyester, or the like.Alternatively, the cord can be elastic, and be made from a materialincluding but not limited to plastic, rubber, natural rubber, silicone,or any other elastic or viscoelastic materials that are appropriate forpromoting healthy contact with human hair. The cord may have a roundcross-sectional area but may have other cross-sectional shapes, such asrectangular, oval, square, triangular, or the like. Combinations ofthese materials can be used. The cord can optionally include a highfriction material, such as a suitably tacky material, as is known in theart, which can be applied to only the first several inches of cordnearest the second end of the body. This allows the cord to grip thehair in contact with the cord while preventing the slippage of the bodywhile the hairclip apparatus is being worn.

The cord can have its fixed end secured to the body by a mechanicalconnection during the manufacture of the body, or alternatively the cordcan have its fixed end secured within a receptacle of the body usingadhesives such as epoxy or hot glue, or another form of mechanicalconnection such as stapling, riveting, crimping, clamping, or the like.

The cord is sufficiently long that it is easily adjusted and the freeend of the cord is not easily drawn into the opening of the secondpassage (or through both of the first and second passages) while theloop size is being adjusted. In this regard, the free end of the cordmay be provided with any of a variety of ornamentation. When provided,the size of the ornament is such that it is larger than the dimensionsof one or both of the first and second passages. The ornament can be anytype of decoration, such as for example, artwork, a picture, beadwork, adecorative feather, or the like, which visibly enhances the design ofthe hairclip apparatus and the appearance of the hairstyle of the user.

Of course, the foregoing identification of materials is exemplary only,and numerous variations, substitutions, and changes in material can bemade by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from thescope of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the term“substantially” used throughout this application is synonymous withterms such as nearly, very nearly, about, approximately, etc.

Referring now to the figures, the several embodiments of the hairclipapparatus are described below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the apparatus 10. Thisembodiment includes a body 12, a spring-biased cord lock mechanism 14,and a cord 16, which is configured to pass through a portion of the body12 and cord lock mechanism 14. A portion of the cord 16 is gatheredaround a portion of a user's hair 18, whereby the apparatus 10 issecured to retain the user's hair as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partially cutaway front elevational view of thefirst embodiment of apparatus 10. As shown in more detail, the body 12in this embodiment includes a first end 24, a second end 26, an innersurface 28, an outer surface 30, and defining at the first end 26 acavity 32 that has an opening 34 formed in a first surface 36 of thebody 12. The outer surface 30 may optionally include an ornamentalfeature 22 present on the outer surface. Further as shown in FIG. 2, theinner surface 28 in this embodiment has a generally concave shapedsurface or configuration to fit properly around a user's hair. However,the inner surface 28 can be configured to any type of planar ornon-planar configuration to enhance further the holding or securingmeans of the apparatus around a user's hair. The outer surface 30 has agenerally convex shaped surface or configuration with rounded corners tobe comfortably handled by the user. However, the outer surface 30 can beconformed to any type of planar or non-planar configuration. In thisembodiment, the body 12 also includes a first passage 38 extending fromthe inner surface 28 of the body 12 to the cavity 32 and a secondpassage 40 aligned with the first passage 38 and extending from a secondsurface 42 of the body 12 to the cavity 32.

Also shown in FIG. 2 is that the apparatus 10 in this embodimentincludes a spring-biased cord lock mechanism 14 retained within thecavity 32. The lock mechanism 14, as is well known in the art, includesan outer barrel, a spring 50, and a spring-biased member 44, the latterof which is accessible through the opening 34 and operable between afirst position indicated by arrow 46 and a second position indicated byarrow 48. The spring 50 biases the member 44 toward the first position46, and the spring-biased cord lock mechanism 14 defines a channel 51aligned with the first and second passages 38 and 40 when the member 44is in the second position 48. In this embodiment, the opening 34 to thecavity 32 is present on the first end surface 24 whereby the innersurface 28 and the second surface 42 are the same surface. As a result,both the first and second passages 38 and 40 have openings 54 and 56,respectively, defined on the inner surface 28 of the body 12. In thisaspect of the invention, the first and second passages 38 and 40together have a substantially U-shaped configuration.

Also shown in FIG. 2 is that the apparatus 10 in this embodimentincludes a cord 16 comprising a free end 15 and a fixed end 17 that issecured to the second end 26 of the body 12. As shown, the fixed end 17of the cord 16 is secured to the second end 26 of the body 12 by amechanical connection, and the free end of the cord 16 may include anoptional ornament 20. A portion of the length of the cord 16 passesthrough the first and second passages 38 and 40, and the channel 51 ofthe lock mechanism 14, thereby forming an adjustable loop 52. Together,the loop 52 and inner surface 28 cooperate to retain a user's hair inthe form of a ponytail or similar feature.

To install the apparatus, a user will first manipulate the spring-biasedmember 44 toward the second position 48 and increase the size of theadjustable loop 52. The spring-biased member 44 can be allowed to returnto its first position 46. With the loop expanded, the user will be ableto pass the hair to be retained between the cord 16 and the innersurface 28 of the body. Once properly positioned, the user will againmanipulate the spring-biased member 44 toward the second position 48,which enables the channel 51 of the lock mechanism 14 to align with thefirst and second passages 38 and 40. The user then can pull on the freeend 15 of the cord 16 to constrict the adjustable loop. Upon release ofthe spring-biased member 44 toward the first position 46, the user'shair is retained between the cord 16 and the inner surface 28 of thebody, and the hairclip securely installed. To remove the apparatus, theprocess is reversed to increase the size of the adjustable loop asdescribed above, and the hairclip apparatus 10 can easily be removed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the apparatus 110. The body112 is largely identical to the body 12 on apparatus 10, except at itsfirst end 124. The outer surface 130 and the first surface 136 are thesame surface whereby the opening 134 to the cavity 132 is present on theouter surface 130. Additionally, in this embodiment, the first end 124of the body 112 defines the second surface 142, i.e., the surface of thefirst end 124 and the second surface 142 are the same surface. As shown,the second passage 140 has an opening 156 at the first end 124 in whichcase the first and second passages 138 and 140 together form asubstantially L-shaped configuration.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a third embodiment of the apparatus 210. Thebody 212 is largely identical to the body 12 on apparatus 10 in thefirst embodiment, except at its first end 224. As shown, the outersurface 230 and the first surface 236 are the same surface whereby theopening 234 to the cavity 232 is present on the outer surface 230.Additionally, the body further includes an upper surface 260 and a lowersurface 262 in which the lower surface 262 and the second surface 242are the same surface. Here, the second passage 240 has an opening 256 atthe lower surface 262 in which the first and second passages 238 and 240together form a substantially L-shaped configuration.

As an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the uppersurface 260 (instead of the lower surface 262) can be the second surface242, in which case the second passage 240 can have its opening 256 atthe upper surface 260. As with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,the first and second passages 238 and 240 together form a substantiallyL-shaped configuration.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the apparatus 310. Thebody 312 is largely identical to the body 12 on apparatus 10 in thefirst embodiment, except at its first end 324. As shown, the lowersurface 362 and the first surface 336 are the same surface, whereby theopening 334 to the cavity 332 is present on the lower surface 362. Thus,the spring-biased member 344 is accessible from the lower surface. Alsoas shown, the first end 324 and the second surface 342 are the samesurface. Here, the second passage 340 has an opening 356 at the secondsurface 342, and the first and second passages 338 and 340 together forma substantially L-shaped configuration.

As an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the opening334 to the cavity 332 can be present on the upper surface 360 (insteadof the lower surface 362), in which case spring-biased member 344 isaccessible from the upper surface. As with the embodiment shown in FIGS.6 and 7, the first and second passages 338 and 340 together form asubstantially L-shaped configuration.

FIG. 8 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the apparatus 410. The body 412is largely identical to the body 12 on apparatus 10, except at its firstend 424. The surface of the first end 424 and the first surface 436 arethe same surface, whereby the opening 434 to the cavity 432 is presenton the first end 424. Thus, the spring-biased member 444 is accessiblefrom the surface of the first end 424. Additionally, in this embodiment,the outer surface 430 of the body 412 defines the second surface 442,i.e., the outer surface 430 and the second surface 442 are the samesurface. As shown, the second passage 440 has an opening 456 at theouter surface 430, and the first and second passages 438 and 440together have a substantially coaxial alignment.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purposes ofillustration, it is understood that such detail is solely for thatpurpose, and variations can be made therein by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which isdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for gathering hair, comprising: a bodyhaving first and second ends, and inner and outer surfaces, and definingat the first end a cavity that has an opening formed in a first surfaceof the body, a first passage extending from the inner surface of thebody to the cavity and a second passage aligned with the first passageand extending from a second surface of the body to the cavity; aspring-biased cord lock mechanism retained within the cavity, and havinga spring-biased member accessible through the opening and operablebetween first and second positions, whereby the spring biases the membertoward the first position, and the spring-biased cord lock mechanismdefining a channel aligned with the first and second passages when themember is in the second position; a cord comprising a free end and afixed end that is secured to the second end of the body, wherein aportion of the length of the cord passes through the first and secondpassages and the channel of the lock mechanism, thereby forming anadjustable loop.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 furthercomprising an ornament attached to the free end of the cord, wherein theornament is larger than one or both of the first and second passages. 3.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of thebody has a concave or a convex shaped surface.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the inner surface comprises a layer ofnon-slip material.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, the outersurface that has a convex shaped surface.
 6. The apparatus according toclaim 5 further comprising an ornamental feature present on the outersurface.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening tothe cavity is present on the first end surface.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the inner surface and the second surfaceare the same surface and both the first and second passages haveopenings defined on the inner surface of the body.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the first and second passages togetherhave a substantially U-shaped configuration.
 10. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the outer surface and the second surface are thesame surface, the first passage having an opening defined on the innersurface of the body, and the second passage having an opening defined onthe outer surface of the body.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the first and second passages together have a substantiallycoaxial alignment.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thebody further comprises upper and lower surfaces.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein the outer surface and the first surfaceare the same surface.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, whereinthe first end of the body comprises the second surface, the secondpassage has an opening at the first end, and the opening to the cavityis present on the upper surface or lower surface of the body.
 15. Theapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lower surface and thesecond surface are the same surface.
 16. The apparatus according toclaim 13, wherein the first and second passages together have asubstantially L-shaped configuration.
 17. The apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein the upper surface or lower surface of the body is thesame as the first surface, and the opening to the cavity is present onthe upper surface or lower surface of the body.
 18. The apparatusaccording to claim 17, wherein the first end of the body comprises thesecond surface, the first passage has an opening defined on the innersurface of the body, and the second passage having an opening defined onthe first end surface.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, whereinthe first and second passages together have a substantially L-shapedconfiguration.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cordis made of an elastic material.
 21. A method of retaining haircomprising: providing a hairclip according to claim 1, wherein hair of auser passes between the inner surface of the body and the adjustableloop of the cord; adjusting the spring-biased member toward the secondposition; pulling the free end of the cord, while the spring-biasedmember remains in the second position, to constrict the adjustable loopof the cord; and allowing the spring-biased member to return to thefirst position, thereby retaining the hair of the user.